Choosing the Best E-Commerce Platform for Your Business in 2024

As a small to mid-size business owner, selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for establishing and growing your online presence. Recently, I had the opportunity to contribute to a comprehensive guide on the best e-commerce platforms of 2024 for Forbes Advisor. As a member of the Forbes SMB Advisor content board, I shared my insights and experiences to help fellow business owners like you make informed decisions when setting up your online stores.

In this extensive guide, the Forbes editors evaluated ten of the top e-commerce platforms, including Wix, Shopify, Shift4Shop, Square Online, BigCommerce, Weebly, Squarespace, Ecwid, WooCommerce, and CoreCommerce. Each platform was assessed based on its e-commerce features, site-building tools, payment processing and accounting capabilities, pricing, and overall user experience.

Through my hands-on testing of several platforms, I discovered that while some, like Wix and Weebly, excel in ease of use and site-building tools, others, such as Shopify and BigCommerce, offer more advanced e-commerce features and extensive app marketplaces. The key takeaway is that the best e-commerce platform for your business depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise.

For startups or small businesses on a tight budget, platforms like Shift4Shop and Square Online offer free plans with robust features. On the other hand, Shopify and BigCommerce come with higher price tags but provide a more comprehensive set of tools for scaling your online store.

One crucial point I want to emphasize is that setting up an online store takes time and effort, regardless of the platform you choose. As I mentioned in the article, “Remember that there is also a time investment beyond learning the programs. People often underestimate how long it takes to get all the products online from appropriate images to descriptions etc. AI now helps with this but I still run into business owners expecting a ‘fast food’ approach—quick and done.”

By carefully considering your options and investing in the right e-commerce solution for your business, you can set yourself up for long-term success in the digital marketplace. Read the full guide and see how each e-commerce platform stacks up.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance on selecting the best e-commerce platform for your business. I’m here to help you navigate this exciting journey!